The Butler-based Marmon/Keystone has announced the opening of a new division, which is separate from its distribution business.

The new division, which will provide contract manufacturing and other services, will be known as Mamon/Keystone-VA Services and will open Jan. 3.

Tom Brenneis has been named director of the new division and will report to J. T. (Tim) Spatafore, executive vice president-branch operations. Brenneis presently is manager of value added services and will continue to be based at the corporate office.

MARS — Mars National Bank has named Michael J. Kirk senior vice president and chief financial officer.Kirk brings more than 20 years accounting and banking experience, with 10 plus years as CFO.Kirk will be responsible for financial reporting, planning, accounting, treasury and other corporate administration activities.Kirk, a certified public accountant, is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Academy for Financial Executives at Ohio State University. He lives in O'Hara Township, Allegheny County.

Three members of the Visiting Nurses Association of Western Pennsylvania have recently become certified as chronic care professionals through Health Sciences Institute.Liz Powell, chief operating officer; Rose Furrer, director of Home Health; and Carol Arthur, quality coordinator, will lead VNA's efforts to more effectively manage patients with chronic conditions.A chronic disease is one lasting three months or more, and generally cannot be prevented by vaccines or cured by medication, nor do they just disappear.Chronic conditions such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, account for more than 75 percent of health care spending.

WASHINGTON — Honda is recalling about 35,000 Passport sport utility vehicles to inspect brackets on the rear suspension that could detach.The recall involves Passports from 1998-2002.The recall covers Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.